Could a young man wear Rive Gauche?

Didn't want to clog up Male Frag Discussion with this post, but after reading the 'Grandfatherly Fragrances' thread, I see that YSL Rive Gauche PH has had a fair few mentions as a fragrance that's suitable for an older gent. Question is, would it be suitable for a young adult (I'm 21, by the way), or is strictly for gentlemen?

Re: Could a young man wear Rive Gauche?

Rive Gauche isn't an old man scent. It's a fresh-man. And a clean-man. At the very least, a sharp-man!

I'm 23 and I wear it to the hospital (doctor) on conference days. Clean shaven, crisp labcoat or blazer. Although it works quite well with a sharply-trimmed beard. And amazing in cool weather. Rive Gauche leans on the smarter, dressier, conservative side of fragrance, in my opinion. And it won't break the bank (~$35/125ml on amazon)

Re: Could a young man wear Rive Gauche?

It is perhaps a little dated. Just my opinion. It has that classic barbershop scent which is associated with fragrances of 'yester years.' However, it is a very clean, safe scent that can be worn to work, after work, just about whenever you would like to. Any young guy can pull this one off.

Re: Could a young man wear Rive Gauche?

I'll go against the grain, but I would not recommend it for a younger person. Not meaning to offend anyone, but when I first ordered a sample a couple of years ago based on hype, my immediate impression was "old man". To me, it reminds me of something my grandfather would've worn and I just don't care for it. (and I'm no spring chicken, I'm 42 and won't touch it). But then again, I hated fragrances when I was a teenager in the 80s because of that "powerhouse" type smell of that era, and I still can't stand those types of scents today. I know my tastes tend to be more like a 20 year old than a 40 year old, but that's ok with me. Anyway, at least be wary of all the hype and sample first with Rive Gauche. It does smell dated, and if you don't like older 70s/80s type scents, you may not like it. Also, as far as compliments, I just can't imagine younger women (teens/20s/even 30s), liking it.

As I say, I'm not knocking anyone who loves it. That's awesome, but there's just no way I would wear it.

Re: Could a young man wear Rive Gauche?

I really think it all depends on how it works on your skin & with your personality. I think any frag can "work" for anyone...it just all depends on if it "fits" for them. Heck, I wore frags like Drakkar Noir, Obsession & Eternity as a young teen & didn't think anything of it. Personally, I love Rive Gauche. That being said, I'm 35 & my wife is 33. I accidentally sprayed too much (4 sprays I think) Rive Gauche on the other day shortly before she came home. When she came in, she said the house reeked of strong, old man cologne smell & she didn't like it at all. She said I would be "that cologne guy" if I went anywhere smelling like that.

So, yes, I do think that it has the potential to come off as a more mature smell, especially if applied a little too heavily & realistically, I'm not sure how many 20 something year old women would find it appealing on a 20 something man. Then again, I'm neither....

One caveat, however, is that the top & mid notes too me are the ones that smell the strongest of this. By an hour in, Rive Gauche has an absolutely wonderful, masculine, creamy, light, almost somewhat musky barber-shop soap drydown that lasts and lasts. You just feel manly, fresh & clean with it for hours. My advice would be to test it on your skin. Go a little lighter on the trigger than you may be used to with some other frags. If the opening is a bit strong for you, give it 30-60 minutes to develop & drydown. I happen to enjoy it from start to finish, but for my wife & others, I go light & spray a little sooner before leaving the house with it on.

Re: Could a young man wear Rive Gauche?

When I lived in the city there was a girl in my neighbourhood who wore a boller hat. She probably wasn't more than 20 years old. I'm an old guy and I wouldn't be caught dead wearing that thing, but she not only pulled it off, she made me wish I was 20 years old too! Probably a good thing it never occurred to her that some people think boller hats are for old folks.

A thing is worth what it can do for you, not what you choose to pay for it. – John Ruskin

Re: Could a young man wear Rive Gauche?

Originally Posted by Doji Dave

When I lived in the city there was a girl in my neighbourhood who wore a boller hat. She probably wasn't more than 20 years old. I'm an old guy and I wouldn't be caught dead wearing that thing, but she not only pulled it off, she made me wish I was 20 years old too! Probably a good thing it never occurred to her that some people think boller hats are for old folks.

A well made point....then again, cute/attractive young women have that ability to make just about anything look good...

Re: Could a young man wear Rive Gauche?

Originally Posted by BrianH1016

Anyway, at least be wary of all the hype and sample first with Rive Gauche. It does smell dated, and if you don't like older 70s/80s type scents, you may not like it.

Rive Gauche PH was released in 2002. It's nothing like the masculines that were popular in the 70s and 80s. I know, because I wore some of those when I was very young, and I love RGPH now. It is roughly in the fougere family, but I think it's more green and lighter than more traditional ones, and I think it's still a very interesting modern take on the genre.

I understand that you don't like it, and of course you're entitled to like whatever you want. I just question your description of it, and think others may be misled.

Of course, as you said, sampling is the best way to go, at least until we get computers with smell-o-vision.

By the way - yes, I think a young man can easily wear this. I know a teenager that wears Eau Sauvage, a scent that was released 30 years before he was born. As in fashion, perfume fads come and go, but the classics remain.

Re: Could a young man wear Rive Gauche?

I have worn it for years (I've just turned 23) with no problems in fact compliments from friends and strangers alike. If a scent works with your chemistry and you like it there is no reason not to wear it.

Re: Could a young man wear Rive Gauche?

It's a great formal/work fragrance, but I think it's a bit out of place with a T-shirt and jeans/shorts. It smells a lot like the Barbasol in a barber shop. I wouldn't consider it an older man's fragrance, but it is sort of a throwback.

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It's a great formal/work fragrance, but I think it's a bit out of place with a T-shirt and jeans/shorts. It smells a lot like the Barbasol in a barber shop. I wouldn't consider it an older man's fragrance, but it is sort of a throwback.

Re: Could a young man wear Rive Gauche?

Re: Could a young man wear Rive Gauche?

Do you want to smell good, interesting, and different from the pack? Or would you rather smell like everyone else your age? Test the stuff out. Do YOU like how it smells on you? If yes, wear it. If there's something about it you don't like, then wear something else. Every fragrance, if it is original at all, is going to smell a bit different in some way. "Too old" "too weird" "too feminine" "too fill-in-the-blank". There is no fragrance that everyone is going to completely love. The only way to avoid someone not liking your fragrance is to wear none. Of course, there may then be something else about you for someone to pick at. There are young men who will smell great and age-appropriate wearing RGpH, but only you can decide if it smells great ON YOU.